The Sacrament – Second Sight Blu-ray Review
One of the most prominent horror filmmakers of his generation, Ti West has directed a slew of successful films, including X, Pearl, The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers and the upcoming MaXXXine. Now The Sacrament, the director’s 2013 cult favourite, is the latest horror to get the Second Sight Films Limited Edition Blu-ray treatment, which is set for release next week alongside a Standard Edition.
If you’re a fan of horror that lingers long after the credits roll, Ti West’s “The Sacrament” is a film you absolutely cannot miss. This 2013 “found footage” (it’s not found footage, it’s more “notumentary”) thriller masterfully intertwines suspense, mild folk horror, and stark realism to create a gripping narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The new collector’s edition will be released on 24 June 2024 and is presented in a rigid slipcase with new artwork by Chris Malbon along with a 70-page booklet with new essays and the usual, great quality extras we’ve come to expect from Second Sight.
Shot as a VICE episode (from before VICE had shows and were still just internet based, “The Sacrament” immerses you in the unsettling world of Eden Parish, a seemingly idyllic commune that quickly reveals its dark underbelly.
The story follows two journalists from Vice as they follow their photographer friend to this isolated community, invited by his sister. What begins as an innocent documentary quickly spirals into a harrowing journey as the true nature of Eden Parish is exposed.
The Sacrament builds a gradual unveiling of the Eden Parish sinister cult reality. West’s direction is sharp and focused, using the Notumentary style as a powerful narrative tool that amplifies the sense of realism and immediacy (did I just make a style up? It’s not found footage, it’s fake documentary but not mockumentary, it’s…).
The performances in this are all great, including from the 200 or so supporting artists/extras. Joe Swanberg (You’re Next, V/H/S), AJ Bowen (You’re Next, The House of the Devil), and Amy Seimetz (Stranger Things, Pet Semetary) deliver compelling portrayals that add depth to their characters.
Gene Jones (The Hateful Eight, No Country For Old Men), in the role of the enigmatic “Father”, is particularly mesmerising and eerily naturalistic. His performance is chillingly convincing, embodying the duality of a figure who appears benevolent but insidiously menacing.
The scene at the end of the movie between Amy Seimetz and Kentucker Audley‘s characters particularly shines for me. So much so I had to check to see Audley had appeared in anything after this film.
One of the most striking aspects of “The Sacrament” is its inspiration from real-life events, specifically The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known by its informal name “Jonestown” an American cult under the leadership of Jim Jones. On November 18, 1978, a total of 918 people died at the settlement, at the nearby airstrip in Port Kaituma, and at a Temple-run building in Georgetown, Guyana’s capital city. The name of the settlement became synonymous with the incidents at those locations and a saying about drinking Kool-Aid was born.
This connection to reality makes the horror all the more palpable, as viewers are confronted with the terrifying realisation that such events can and have occurred. The film doesn’t shy away from exploring the psychological manipulation and control exerted by cults, and the culpability of the media in it’s coverage of such events, making for a thought-provoking experience.
The cinematography and sound design are fantastic. The remote, jungle setting of Eden Parish is captured beautifully juxtaposing the natural beauty with the community’s eerie ambiance all with that noticeable VICE aesthetic, Every frame and audio cue builds on that sense of dread.
In The Sacrament, Ti West has created an indie horror film that is not only terrifying in it’s “too close to reality for my liking” narrative but also remains deeply engaging. It’s a testament to his skill as a filmmaker that he can deliver a story that is both horrifying and grounded in reality. The film’s slow-burn approach allows for a richer exploration of its themes and characters, making the eventual descent into chaos all the more impactful.
Whether you’re a horror aficionado or a casual viewer looking for a genuinely captivating film, “The Sacrament” is a must-watch. Its blend of psychological horror, exceptional performances, and a gripping narrative makes it a standout in the genre. The extras on this Limited Edition Second Sight Blu-ray are nothing to sniff at either.
- Indie Guys at Heart: A new interview with actor AJ Bowen – great 30 minute interview that I had to check was 30 minutes, as it flies by. AJ is an interesting speaker and it’s great to hear him reminisce about the making of the film.
- The Best Pathway: A new interview with actor Joe Swanberg – A 10 minute interview with Joe, another great look back at production.
- An Ecstatic State: A new interview with actor Amy Seimetz – Third of these well shot interviews, and all cover different aspects of the making of The Sacrament. Nice to see Amy is very normal in real life 🙂
- The Itch to Act: new interview with actor Gene Jones – Gene Jones is such a great actor, this is him talking about acting. “The Sacrament has been very good to me”.
- A Wild Ride: A new interview with producer Peter Phok – Peter is the producer of the film. 25 minute interview surprisingly a little more in-depth into the production of the film.
- Truthiness: Alexandra Heller-Nicholas on The Sacrament – Alexandra is an Australian film critic and this mini doc, is a wordy look at the film. Like a visual white paper, these kinds of docs have become regular extras on Second Sight’s blu’s. I like them, I always learn about 4 new words.
- We’re Not Sinners Here: The Making of The Sacrament – A making of that is almost as long as the film itself. This is the stuff! Did anyone else jump at that first squib?
Limited Edition Contents
- Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Chris Malbon
- 70-page book with new essays by Anton Bitel, Kat Hughes, Rich Johnson and Beth Kelly
- Six collectors’ art cards
Say your prayers at The Sacrament, available from Monday 24th June 2024 from Second Sight Films.